2nd June, 2024
By Paul Iyoghojie
The Police at the Maroko division, Lekki of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three Security men and two labourers and charged them before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing a Security door valued at N4,357,000, sold the door for N50,000 and shared the money N10,000 each among themselves.
Police identified the suspects as Victor Etim, 27, labourer; Haruna Adamu, 43, security man; Duke Udo, security man, and Innocent Ejike, 59.
Police alleged that the nemesis caught up with the defendants when the owner of the door, Okechukwu Izeogu went to pick up the door but could not find it.
When he asked the security men about the door, they denied knowing anything about it.
The complainant quickly reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Maroko division, Lekki, Lagos who swiftly directed his crack team to fish out the suspects.
The Police team through intelligence gathering arrested the defendants and after investigation by Inspector Olayinka Niyilola and team, the defendants were dragged before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
Police prosecuting Counsel, Inspector Hafsat Ajiboye told the Court in the charge marked M/4/2024 that the defendants committed the offence on 18 February 2024 at 8 Water Cooperation Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ajiboye informed the court that the defendants stole the security door kept in their custody by the complainant, sold the door for N50,000 and shared the money N10,000 each leading to their arrest.
Ajiboye said the offences, the defendants committed were punishable under sections 411 and 287 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and Magistrate, Mrs Gbajumo Ayoku granted them N500,000 bail each with two sureties in like sum.
Ayoku adjourned the case and ordered that the defendants be detained at the Ikoyi correctional facility till they perfected the bail conditions.